Waterfalls
20 places · Cascades, drops & mist-hung gorges
Seattle, WA
Snoqualmie Falls
A 268-foot waterfall on the Snoqualmie River, 25 miles east of Seattle, that is one of Washington's most popular natural attractions. The falls are 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls and are sacred to the Snoqualmie Tribe. A lower observation platform accessible by a steep 0.7-mile trail provides views from the base of the falls.
Troutdale, OR
Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is a 620-foot two-tiered waterfall, the tallest in Oregon. A historic stone footbridge built in 1914 spans the falls between the upper and lower tiers. The falls flow year-round, with peak volume during spring snowmelt.
Bellingham, WA
Whatcom Falls Park
A 241-acre urban park in Bellingham centered around four sets of waterfalls along Whatcom Creek. The main waterfall drops approximately 30 feet beneath a historic stone bridge built by the WPA in 1939. The park contains old-growth Douglas fir trees and a network of trails through temperate rainforest.
Port Angeles, WA
Marymere Falls
Marymere Falls is a 90-foot waterfall accessed via a 1.8-mile round-trip trail from the Storm King Ranger Station near Lake Crescent. The falls drop over a moss-covered cliff into a narrow gorge surrounded by old-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock. Water flow is highest in spring and after heavy rains.
Port Angeles, WA
Sol Duc Falls
Sol Duc Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall where the Sol Duc River splits into three or four channels dropping roughly 25 feet into a narrow basalt canyon. The falls are reached via a 0.8-mile trail through old-growth forest from the Sol Duc trailhead. A photogenic footbridge crosses directly above the falls, providing an elevated vantage point.
Quinault, WA
Merriman Falls
Merriman Falls is a 40-foot waterfall visible directly from the South Shore Road along Lake Quinault. The falls cascade over a mossy rock face surrounded by dense temperate rainforest. No hiking is required, as the waterfall is steps from a roadside pullout.
Skykomish, WA
Deception Falls
Deception Falls is a powerful cascade on Deception Creek that plunges through a narrow basalt chute along Highway 2 near Stevens Pass. A short interpretive trail with boardwalks provides views of both the upper and lower falls. The falls are particularly impressive during spring runoff.
Skykomish, WA
Eagle Falls (Skykomish)
Eagle Falls is a powerful cascade on the South Fork Skykomish River, dropping approximately 25 feet through a rock channel near Stevens Pass. The falls are easily accessible from a pullout along Highway 2. The surrounding old-growth forest and mossy boulders provide a lush backdrop.
Troutdale, OR
Latourell Falls
Latourell Falls drops 249 feet in a single plunge over a basalt cliff face covered in bright yellow-green lichen. The falls are among the most accessible in the Columbia River Gorge, with a short paved trail from the parking area. A 2.4-mile loop trail leads to Upper Latourell Falls.
Cascade Locks, OR
Wahclella Falls
Wahclella Falls is a two-tiered waterfall with a total drop of approximately 350 feet, tucked into a narrow basalt canyon on Tanner Creek. The lower tier drops into a large splash pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks. The trail is 1.9 miles round trip through a lush, fern-lined gorge.
McKenzie Bridge, OR
Sahalie Falls
Sahalie Falls is a 100-foot waterfall on the McKenzie River that plunges over a lava dam into a pool of turquoise water. The name comes from the Chinook word for 'heaven.' The falls are connected to nearby Koosah Falls by a 0.4-mile trail through old-growth forest.
McKenzie Bridge, OR
Koosah Falls
Koosah Falls drops 70 feet over a basalt cliff on the McKenzie River, approximately a quarter mile downstream from Sahalie Falls. Spring-fed tributaries emerge from the surrounding lava walls, adding side cascades to the main falls. The pool below displays vivid blue-green coloration from the volcanic mineral content.
Marblemount, WA
Gorge Creek Falls
Gorge Creek Falls drops 242 feet into a narrow, moss-covered gorge along the North Cascades Highway. A footbridge directly over the gorge provides a dramatic vantage point. The falls flow year-round, though volume is highest during spring snowmelt.
Marblemount, WA
Ladder Creek Falls
Ladder Creek Falls is a series of cascades flowing through a lush, mossy gorge near the town of Newhalem in North Cascades National Park complex. A short loop trail with interpretive signs follows the creek through old-growth forest. Seattle City Light historically illuminated the falls at night during summer months.
Index, WA
Bridal Veil Falls (Index)
Bridal Veil Falls is a 1,328-foot tiered waterfall on the south face of Mount Index, one of the tallest waterfalls in Washington State. A spur trail from the Lake Serene trail leads to a viewpoint of the lower falls. The falls are fed by snowmelt and are most voluminous in late spring and early summer.
Cascade Locks, OR
Elowah Falls
Elowah Falls is a 213-foot waterfall that plunges into a large basalt amphitheater in John B. Yeon State Scenic Corridor. The moss-covered walls of the amphitheater create a dramatic enclosed setting. An upper viewpoint trail provides a birds-eye perspective of the falls and gorge.
Cascade Locks, OR
Punch Bowl Falls
Punch Bowl Falls is a 35-foot waterfall on Eagle Creek that drops into a deep turquoise pool surrounded by mossy basalt walls. The falls are accessed via the popular Eagle Creek Trail, one of the most scenic hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The trail features tunnels blasted through cliff faces and narrow ledge paths.
Government Camp, OR
Ramona Falls
Ramona Falls is a 120-foot waterfall on Mount Hood's west slope that cascades over a mossy columnar basalt face, spreading into hundreds of thin streams. The falls are accessed via a 7.1-mile loop trail that crosses the Sandy River and passes through old-growth forest. The unique texture of the falls makes it one of the most photographed waterfalls on Mount Hood.
Bend, OR
Newberry Volcanic Monument - Paulina Falls
Paulina Falls is a pair of waterfalls that drop approximately 80 feet from Paulina Lake over the caldera rim of Newberry Volcano. The twin falls are separated by a rocky outcrop and are most impressive during spring snowmelt. Newberry Volcano is one of the largest shield volcanoes in the contiguous United States.
Sisters, OR
Proxy Falls
Proxy Falls consists of two waterfalls along a 1.6-mile loop trail off McKenzie Pass Highway 242. Upper Proxy Falls drops 226 feet in a fan shape over a mossy cliff face, while Lower Proxy Falls drops 64 feet into a pool that disappears into a porous lava bed. The surrounding old-growth forest features towering Douglas fir and western red cedar.